adminMosquitoes when they feed on the blood of mammals transmit dengue fever, encephalitis and malaria. While some people don’t feel a thing after a mosquito bite, others experience severe allergy.
What makes mosquitoes bite?
Mosquitoes are equipped with a siphon-like organ known as proboscis with which they use (the females) to draw blood from the skin of their host. The next time you see a mosquito feasting on your blood, 100% of the times, it is a female. Their meals are sourced from the plant nectars and sugary substances of plants.
They leave an itchy and sometimes bump on the site of the skin where they draw blood from. This bump is created by the saliva they inject into the skin of their host while they draw blood. Mosquito bites barely cause any reaction, and even when it does, their symptoms would go away after a few days. Bleeding, soreness and pain are some of the symptoms that accompany mosquito bites. The pain and itchiness caused by mosquitoes isn’t really a problem. It is the disease they spread with their bites that is worrisome.
Symptoms and Reactions
Mosquitoes have become so good at biting and sucking blood that their victims barely notice when they have been bitten. Some species bite so hard that their bite causes severe pain. Below are some of the common symptoms that accompany mosquito bites
- Bruises covered by dark spots
- Swellings around the affected spots
- White and puffy bumps as well as a red dot which appears a couple of bites after the mosquito is done feeding.
- Blisters, followed by hard bumps
- Red-like kind of bumps which normally appears days later after the first bite.
For people with weak immune system, the following symptoms may follow:
- Mild fever
- Swelling and reddening of the skin
- Headache
- Hives
- Swollen lymph nodes
Medical attention should immediately be sought when you suspect allergic reaction due to mosquito bites.
Allergies
Certain allergic reactions follow mosquito bites, but this will depend on the level of the individual’s immune system. The reddish bump formed on the surface of a bitten skin comes from the saliva the mosquito injects with her proboscis into its victim. While some people suffer severe allergic reaction when bitten by mosquitoes, most others don’t feel a thing. Blisters and inflammation are the commonest, while asthma may follow in severe cases. Mosquitoes are vectors of parasites and virus which cause malaria, dengue fever and encephalitis.
Most times when mosquitoes bite, they leave bumps that are itchy and red in color on the surface of the affected site. Taking antihistamines will help eliminate the swelling and itchiness caused by mosquito bites. Most importantly, seek medical advice before taking any anti-mosquito medication. Some people with time become completely immune to mosquito bites, and will not feel the slightest itch when bitten by mosquito.
Mosquito allergies are mostly suffered by people with weak immune system and those who are always outdoors. In severe cases, symptoms like excessive swelling, bruises and blistering rashes. There have been cases when the affected victim suffered asthma, hives and anaphylaxis. Medical advice should be sought whenever extreme allergic reaction is noticed.
The best way to wade off mosquitoes when spending time outside is by wearing clothes made of beige and khaki because mosquitoes resent this kind of materials. Soaps, lotions, shampoos contain scents which mosquitoes love, and so should be used sparingly to wade off mosquito. While some species are most active during the nights, others are during the day.
The problem of mosquito infections
Mosquitoes, just like spiders and insects when they bite leaves their victim at the risk of bacterial infection. Mosquitoes are known vectors of diseases ranging from Malaria, dengue fever to West Nile Virus.
Ways of identifying mosquito bites on pets
When pets are bitten by mosquito, they would resort to scratching which when done excessively causes swellings. Pets too when bitten by mosquitoes experience allergic reactions which varies in severity.
Mosquito repellents
The center for Disease control and prevention recommends using repellents to wade off mosquitoes. Extreme care should be taken when applying repellents on the skin, and should never be applied close to the mouth or eyes. Citronella oil is a commonly used mosquito repellent which works pretty well.
Treatment for mosquito bites
Cold compression is an effective home based remedy for the treatment of mosquito bites. Anti-itching compounds and antihistamines work well too. Naproxen and ibuprofen work well too. Calamine lotion and baking soda are effective in the treatment of mosquito bites.
Always ensure that expert medical advice is sought before trying out any treatment. Immediately seek medical treatment the moment you notice severe allergic reaction due to mosquito bite.
